Signal switch for trolley lines



July 7,' 1931.

P. J. MURPHY SIGNAL SWITCH FOR TROLLEY LINES File d Jan. 7, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invenior I syflmm A llome g' July 7, 1 931. P. J. MURPHY 1,313,634

SIGNAL SWITCH FOR TROLLEY LINES Filed Jan. 7,-1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor A tlomey Patented July 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PAT NT oFFicE SIGNAL SWITCH FOR TROLLE Y LINES Application filed January 7.1921. SerialNo. 507,267.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in switches and more particularly to a novel switch for operating signals in conjunction with a trolley line.

.-',1 The principal object of the invention is to provide an automatic switch for signal circuits, operative by the trolley wheel of a car.

Other objects and advantages will be found 33 in the following specification.

In the drawings Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of the novel switch structure mounted in association with a trolley conductor.

Fig. 2 represents a bottom plan view of the novel switch structure.

Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of the contact carrying bar.

Fig. 4 represents a perspective view of the contact plate. 7

Fig. 5 represents a perspective view of one of the abutment plates.

Fig. 6 represents a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 6--6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 represents a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 7 7 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 represents a perspective view of one of the brackets.

Referring to the drawings wherein like nu- 89 merals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 represents the trolley conductor supported by the holders 6, which are adjustably secured as at 7 to the bridge member 8. Depending from this bridge member is the novel switch structurewhich is generally referred to by numeral 9 and immediately hereinafter described.

Numerals 1011 represent inverted U- shaped brackets secured by their bight portion to the underside of the bridge member 8 and through the depending leg portions of these brackets are disposed the pins 12 secured against longitudinal movement by the cotter pins 13.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 3, numeral 14 designates the contact carrying bar which is provided with an H shaped member 15 at each end thereof, secured by suitable means 16. The bifurcated portion of each. member 15 59 which projects beyond the corresponding end of the bar 14, receives one of the aforementioned pins 12 in the manner clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7 On'one of the pins 12, is a spring 17 which isconvoluted and impinges against one of the members -15t0'urge the bars 14 in a direction toward one longitudinal edge of the bridge member 8, while on the other pin 12 a spring 18 is convoluted and disposed so as to impinge against the opposite side of the members 15 and at the opposite end of the bars 14 so as to maintain this end of the bar toward the opposite longitudinal edge of the bridge member 8.

Thus, the bar 14 will assume the position shown in Fig. 2, and each side of this bar 14 carries the abutment plate 19, and contact plate 20.

Normally, the abutment plates 19 are in l the position shown in Fig. 2, but when a trolley wheel rides betweenthe trolley conductor 5 and the abutment plates 19, the bar 14 is twisted so as to engage the contact plates 20 to engage the trolley wire. The current passes thru these plates, through the wires of the signal circuit to the signal box remotely situated.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. A switch of the character described comprising a pair of brackets, a conductor line extending adjacent and supporting the brackets, a bar of di-electric material interposed between the brackets and slidably connected at its ends to the bracket, spring means for maintaining the bar in position, contacts on the bar normally maintained spaced from the conductor line by the spring.

2. A switch of the character described comprising a pair of brackets, a conductor line extending adjacent and supporting the brackets, a bar of di-electrical material interposed between the brackets and slidably connected at its ends to the bracket, spring 10 means for maintaining the bar in position, contacts on the bar normally maintained spaced from the conductor line by the spring, and means on the bar engageable by a trolley Wheel for swinging the bar to enage contact against the conductor line.

3. A switch of the character described comprising in combination a trolley line, a swingable body supported thereon, contacts on the body, and spring means engaging the body for normally maintaining the contacts disengaged from the trolley line. v

4. A switch of the character described comprising a pair of brackets, pins on the brackets, a bar, each end of the bar being provided With an opening for receiving a corresponding pin of the corresponding bracket, a conductor line in close proximity and supporting the bracket, contacts on the bar, means for normally maintaining the contacts disengaged from the conductor lines, and means on the bar engageable by means movable along the conductor lines for bringing the contacts into engagement With the conductor line.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

PATRICK JAMES MURPHY. 

